Chuck it. And if you have more plants in the house - they are probably infected too. In summer thrips get inside the house - and pass the infection from plant to plant to plant. One infected plant to start with dooms the whole collection. There is no cure.

If you still have some hope that it is something else - you can either purchae an ELISA test - or contact the local Extension office, they will do it.

Streptocarpus is not usually significantly distorted by virus - AVs show more damage. Muted colors on the flowers, distorted shape of teh blossoms and spotty banded leaves are the sign of infection.

The flowers have got pale blotches on them now :( It's outside so if could have infected anything! :(

There is a multitude of viruses that can infect gesneriads - and any other green plant - and outside the plants are exposed to the insects that feed on them and transmit infection. Looks like a lot of veggies and flowering plants we purchase every spring come infected as well. If you get an infected tomato - it won't give you good crop and the small stunted fruit will be spotted. For us it is hobby, for the growers in a commercial setting - it is a disaster - so all and all we are losing a lot of produce due to the wide spread viral contamination.

Probably you picked one of the necrotic spot viruses - the dreaded INSV, tomato NSV or something else. The result - do not bring the plant home, do not use scissors or blade you use on other plants - and plan to bag it and chuck it. I do no think you want it in a compost pile.

Took the photps to a good nursery and it's confirmed, ringspot virus :( Plant is bagged and in tomorrows garbage pick up. Dammit, it was such a happy flowery thing!

I am sorry - if you keep your chickens in a yard - coyotes will take them out, cats will be run over by the car - and house plants - got attacked by the pests.

Keep next one inside...

I.